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Special Enforcers #2
Carte Blanche
She's a Domme and a vampire hunter. He's a submissive... and a vampire.
When a lobbyist opposed to vampires' rights is found drained of her blood, Special Enforcer Grace Alkins investigates the woman's connection to a local BDSM club and its vampire customers. It has been a long time since Grace played on this particular scene, but old habits return easily when she puts on the attire of Mistress Red.
On her first undercover visit at the club, however, she finds herself tricked into playing a scene with Ray, a submissive whose Master left town abruptly. The Dominant in her enjoys the opportunity, while the Special Enforcer is shocked to realize Ray is a vampire, and possibly a suspect for the murder she investigates.
Will Grace manage to keep a cool head and find the killer when every new meeting with Ray cranks up the heat a little more?
~~~
While this novel is part of the Special Enforcers series, it is a complete standalone.
When a lobbyist opposed to vampires' rights is found drained of her blood, Special Enforcer Grace Alkins investigates the woman's connection to a local BDSM club and its vampire customers. It has been a long time since Grace played on this particular scene, but old habits return easily when she puts on the attire of Mistress Red.
On her first undercover visit at the club, however, she finds herself tricked into playing a scene with Ray, a submissive whose Master left town abruptly. The Dominant in her enjoys the opportunity, while the Special Enforcer is shocked to realize Ray is a vampire, and possibly a suspect for the murder she investigates.
Will Grace manage to keep a cool head and find the killer when every new meeting with Ray cranks up the heat a little more?
~~~
While this novel is part of the Special Enforcers series, it is a complete standalone.
123 pages
First published January 1, 2008
1 person is currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Kallysten
134 books432 followersKallysten is a writer of romance novels and short stories, most of them with paranormal elements.
Her first eBooks were published by Linden Bay Romance in 2005. The defunct Venus Press subsequently published a few of her short stories. Because so many of her stories are linked as series and part of the same universe, she decided it would make sense to have them all in the same place, which is why she self-published, first with the co-op Alinar Publishing and now on her own. When she sees calls for submissions that speak to her muse, she sometimes tries for them, and was published this way by Samhain and Torquere.
Her first eBooks were published by Linden Bay Romance in 2005. The defunct Venus Press subsequently published a few of her short stories. Because so many of her stories are linked as series and part of the same universe, she decided it would make sense to have them all in the same place, which is why she self-published, first with the co-op Alinar Publishing and now on her own. When she sees calls for submissions that speak to her muse, she sometimes tries for them, and was published this way by Samhain and Torquere.
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December 13, 2011How this story came to be...
Carte Blanche was inspired by a real-life dominant who goes by the name Mistress Phoenix. I met her years ago on a social website, although at the time I didn’t know about her lifestyle. As time passed, she sometimes let hints slip, until she finally ‘came out’ and made some long posts to explain what she does and why, as well as invited questions from the rest of us.
I’ve got to admit I was fascinated. I’m much too scared of pain to ever be on the receiving end of the equation, but I wondered, once or twice (or maybe a lot more often than that!) what it would be like to be in her (very high, very pointy, leather)shoes boots.
Some time after that, I attended a writing convention during which Mistress Phoenix gave a talk about the BDSM lifestyle and what writers get right or wrong about it. She had brought a box of toys. She had also brought one of her subs – on a leash, of course. At that point, I just had to write a BDSM story.
I knew from the start that my Dominant needed to be the heroine. With all the inspiration Mistress Phoenix had given me, it would have felt wrong to have a male dominant. Something else that seemed obvious to me was that being submissive would not mean my hero was weak. Ray has a need and desire to submit and receive pain, but these are simply parts of him, along with his courage, his passion for drawing, his stubbornness, and everything else that makes him who he is.
I realized, after I had finished writing Carte Blanche, that BDSM stories with a female Dominant are not very frequent, just like Mistress Phoenix had told us during that panel that the same is true in ‘real life.’ For a while I fretted about whether anyone would be interested in reading such a story, but it never was an option for me to change the characters, especially after Mistress Phoenix, who was the first reader, gave it a thumb up.
When the story was released, I received a few emails from readers who said they had never read a BDSM story before, or that they had never read one with a female Dominant, but who had nonetheless enjoyed Carte Blanche. These were the best compliments I could have received, and they encouraged me to write short sequels to the novel.
Carte Blanche was inspired by a real-life dominant who goes by the name Mistress Phoenix. I met her years ago on a social website, although at the time I didn’t know about her lifestyle. As time passed, she sometimes let hints slip, until she finally ‘came out’ and made some long posts to explain what she does and why, as well as invited questions from the rest of us.
I’ve got to admit I was fascinated. I’m much too scared of pain to ever be on the receiving end of the equation, but I wondered, once or twice (or maybe a lot more often than that!) what it would be like to be in her (very high, very pointy, leather)
Some time after that, I attended a writing convention during which Mistress Phoenix gave a talk about the BDSM lifestyle and what writers get right or wrong about it. She had brought a box of toys. She had also brought one of her subs – on a leash, of course. At that point, I just had to write a BDSM story.
I knew from the start that my Dominant needed to be the heroine. With all the inspiration Mistress Phoenix had given me, it would have felt wrong to have a male dominant. Something else that seemed obvious to me was that being submissive would not mean my hero was weak. Ray has a need and desire to submit and receive pain, but these are simply parts of him, along with his courage, his passion for drawing, his stubbornness, and everything else that makes him who he is.
I realized, after I had finished writing Carte Blanche, that BDSM stories with a female Dominant are not very frequent, just like Mistress Phoenix had told us during that panel that the same is true in ‘real life.’ For a while I fretted about whether anyone would be interested in reading such a story, but it never was an option for me to change the characters, especially after Mistress Phoenix, who was the first reader, gave it a thumb up.
When the story was released, I received a few emails from readers who said they had never read a BDSM story before, or that they had never read one with a female Dominant, but who had nonetheless enjoyed Carte Blanche. These were the best compliments I could have received, and they encouraged me to write short sequels to the novel.
November 14, 2012
Review by Ollie for BittenbyParanormalRomance
This was the first book I read with a female Dominant and a male sub (I have read many male Doms and female sub stories) so I kept an open mind on how the interaction would be between these two. While it was different from the usual BDSM books that I read it was enjoyable and did show me another side of the lifestyle.
Grace is investigating a murder of a councilwoman who had connections with an exclusive BSDM and decides to gain access into the club as Domme Mistress Red. It is here where she meets Ray, or I should say, Ray is intrigued by her the moment she comes into the club and manages to make her play a scene with him. The thing I found interesting about Ray is he is a switch, (plays both a Dom and a sub) but it seemed that he naturally prefers the sub role as he has been craving the need for pain and submission since his Master has taken off.
This is where I had some difficulty in connecting with the characters in their growing relationship. Ray is a vampire and yet he doesn't show any characteristics that would distinguish him as one, except for one scene where he takes some blood from a woman's shoulder or drinking a glass of blood, otherwise I would not have known he was a vampire. The other thing that I found hard to connect with either character is I never got to REALLY know them. It seemed that Grace and Ray would play and that would be it. Situations would occur where she would need his assistance, but otherwise I felt no connection. Even during the sexy scenes it just seem lacking any passion. I get that he needs to submit, but I just found Ray too passive and weak (he stated at some point that he submits because he doesn't want to be alone). Grace on the other hand seemed to lack emotions, too bossy and I really didn't like how she would knock down praise he would give her. I also didn't like the fact that she would try to make him to submit to her even when they were outside of a scene and they never negotiated beyond play scenes. It left me not really liking her and the whole Domme aspect. It seemed more like it was a power trip for her to dominate over someone to compensate feelings of her own inadequacies. Unlike other stories where the Doms are focused on meeting the sub's need I didn't get that impress from Grace.
I did feel sorry for Ray as he seems like a very lonely person and both his Master and Grace seemed to only care what they could get out of their interactions with him versus connecting with him. That was the key thing he wanted, someone to love him. He was finally able to stand up for himself in the end and ask for this, but I really don't know if he would truly get what he wants.
Usually reading a BDSM book makes me feel hot and bothered, however, this one left be more bothered then anything else. I know the author stated that she had spoken to Dommes to have a better understanding before writing this book, but I just felt more heartbroken for Ray in the end. Perhaps it is me and not the author, but I just didn't find anything really sexually appealing about Ray and felt my mother instincts kicking in and wanting to give him a hug and letting him know everything will somehow workout. Overall I have to say it was a interesting read and very tame in the BDSM aspects. Readers who are interested in reading about a woman dominating a man may find this book a good one to start off with in this genre.
3 Stars
This was the first book I read with a female Dominant and a male sub (I have read many male Doms and female sub stories) so I kept an open mind on how the interaction would be between these two. While it was different from the usual BDSM books that I read it was enjoyable and did show me another side of the lifestyle.
Grace is investigating a murder of a councilwoman who had connections with an exclusive BSDM and decides to gain access into the club as Domme Mistress Red. It is here where she meets Ray, or I should say, Ray is intrigued by her the moment she comes into the club and manages to make her play a scene with him. The thing I found interesting about Ray is he is a switch, (plays both a Dom and a sub) but it seemed that he naturally prefers the sub role as he has been craving the need for pain and submission since his Master has taken off.
This is where I had some difficulty in connecting with the characters in their growing relationship. Ray is a vampire and yet he doesn't show any characteristics that would distinguish him as one, except for one scene where he takes some blood from a woman's shoulder or drinking a glass of blood, otherwise I would not have known he was a vampire. The other thing that I found hard to connect with either character is I never got to REALLY know them. It seemed that Grace and Ray would play and that would be it. Situations would occur where she would need his assistance, but otherwise I felt no connection. Even during the sexy scenes it just seem lacking any passion. I get that he needs to submit, but I just found Ray too passive and weak (he stated at some point that he submits because he doesn't want to be alone). Grace on the other hand seemed to lack emotions, too bossy and I really didn't like how she would knock down praise he would give her. I also didn't like the fact that she would try to make him to submit to her even when they were outside of a scene and they never negotiated beyond play scenes. It left me not really liking her and the whole Domme aspect. It seemed more like it was a power trip for her to dominate over someone to compensate feelings of her own inadequacies. Unlike other stories where the Doms are focused on meeting the sub's need I didn't get that impress from Grace.
I did feel sorry for Ray as he seems like a very lonely person and both his Master and Grace seemed to only care what they could get out of their interactions with him versus connecting with him. That was the key thing he wanted, someone to love him. He was finally able to stand up for himself in the end and ask for this, but I really don't know if he would truly get what he wants.
Usually reading a BDSM book makes me feel hot and bothered, however, this one left be more bothered then anything else. I know the author stated that she had spoken to Dommes to have a better understanding before writing this book, but I just felt more heartbroken for Ray in the end. Perhaps it is me and not the author, but I just didn't find anything really sexually appealing about Ray and felt my mother instincts kicking in and wanting to give him a hug and letting him know everything will somehow workout. Overall I have to say it was a interesting read and very tame in the BDSM aspects. Readers who are interested in reading about a woman dominating a man may find this book a good one to start off with in this genre.
3 Stars
November 3, 2013
Divorced and needing to support her 10 year old daughter, Grace Alkins rejoins the job force as a S.E. (Special Enforcer) in Blackwood Falls. Her duties include policing and executing justice on the vampire population of the city.
When Dorothy MacAlair, a prominent lobbyist and card carrying Domme at an exclusive BDSM club, is found dead from an apparent vampire attack it's up to the S.E. office to find the guilty party and bring them to justice. Realizing she needs to question the members of the Club, Grace goes undercover as Mistress Red to infiltrate the inner core posing as one of their own.
Ray has been a submissive to his sire Keller Owens since being turned into a vampire 8 years ago. When an extended separation results in Ray becoming increasingly needy his Master gives him permission to play for one night. Catching sight of a new Mistress at Club Blanche Ray goes out of his way to manipulate her to scene with him. Little does he realize that Mistress Red isn't inexperienced in dealing with bratty subs and he's about to learn the consequences of doing so. Problems arise when Ray's loyalty is tested when he finds out his new Mistress is an S.E. enforcer who believes his Master has just killed a human.
Cut to the chase. I have found a new love author/series. I couldn't stop reading this book. The plot and storyline have that murder mystery 'who done it' that kept me guessing while the BDSM action was toe curling, get my BOB, lip smacking HAWT. I really can't recall when I've read such a well written Domme themed BDSM book to compare to this one. Yes I'm gushing because with a market saturated with Dom's and male dominant relationships it's so very refreshing to read the counterpart slant.
Main characters. Yes, I had issues with Ray. Not because he was a submissive. That totally rocked. More the case he had no focus or direction in life. I could back this up with more info but it would result in spoiler information so all I can really say is I went back and forth debating whether he was a result of circumstances or a marginal TSTL character. I did make up my mind by the end of this book but will leave others to form their own conclusions after they read this book. Grace. KICK ASS IN YOUR FACE gal. Totally appreciated her character and manner as a Mistress. This is one of those times that I really hated to get to the end of the book because I enjoyed it so much. My only hope is that this author has other books that are equally as satisfying.
A couple of end comments. Goodreads lists this book at 123 pages. Amazon has it at 194. I think Amazon has it listed right. I also see this is the #2 in a series installments. Never having read any other works by this author I feel very comfortable stating that this is a standalone read. Lastly, the BDSM play scenes are mild intensity without any inclusion of bondage, extreme elements, or toy usage. Basically, a female domination sensual fantasy slant which I totally loved.
When Dorothy MacAlair, a prominent lobbyist and card carrying Domme at an exclusive BDSM club, is found dead from an apparent vampire attack it's up to the S.E. office to find the guilty party and bring them to justice. Realizing she needs to question the members of the Club, Grace goes undercover as Mistress Red to infiltrate the inner core posing as one of their own.
Ray has been a submissive to his sire Keller Owens since being turned into a vampire 8 years ago. When an extended separation results in Ray becoming increasingly needy his Master gives him permission to play for one night. Catching sight of a new Mistress at Club Blanche Ray goes out of his way to manipulate her to scene with him. Little does he realize that Mistress Red isn't inexperienced in dealing with bratty subs and he's about to learn the consequences of doing so. Problems arise when Ray's loyalty is tested when he finds out his new Mistress is an S.E. enforcer who believes his Master has just killed a human.
Cut to the chase. I have found a new love author/series. I couldn't stop reading this book. The plot and storyline have that murder mystery 'who done it' that kept me guessing while the BDSM action was toe curling, get my BOB, lip smacking HAWT. I really can't recall when I've read such a well written Domme themed BDSM book to compare to this one. Yes I'm gushing because with a market saturated with Dom's and male dominant relationships it's so very refreshing to read the counterpart slant.
Main characters. Yes, I had issues with Ray. Not because he was a submissive. That totally rocked. More the case he had no focus or direction in life. I could back this up with more info but it would result in spoiler information so all I can really say is I went back and forth debating whether he was a result of circumstances or a marginal TSTL character. I did make up my mind by the end of this book but will leave others to form their own conclusions after they read this book. Grace. KICK ASS IN YOUR FACE gal. Totally appreciated her character and manner as a Mistress. This is one of those times that I really hated to get to the end of the book because I enjoyed it so much. My only hope is that this author has other books that are equally as satisfying.
A couple of end comments. Goodreads lists this book at 123 pages. Amazon has it at 194. I think Amazon has it listed right. I also see this is the #2 in a series installments. Never having read any other works by this author I feel very comfortable stating that this is a standalone read. Lastly, the BDSM play scenes are mild intensity without any inclusion of bondage, extreme elements, or toy usage. Basically, a female domination sensual fantasy slant which I totally loved.
January 5, 2017
On my "Quest" to find good femdom romance out there i stumble on this gem. Mix in vampires, murder mystery and dommes and i'm pretty much sold. The "play" was pretty tame but i prefer it to the overly done female domination books out there.
August 1, 2018
Not bad!
Paranormal urban fantasy: our heroine (human) is a vampire-crime police investigator, and meets the hero (vampire) while working a murder. Pretty businesslike there. This is book #2 in a series, but I read it as a standalone with no trouble at all.
Characters were pretty good— well-drawn enough and not unlikable. Writing style is B+ quality at least, which was a welcome change of pace. Maybe not as smoking hot as I would have liked frequency-wise, but I can't really complain either. Their intimacy proceeds at a reasonable pace.
The kinking is quite mellow, but nice— for once, she fundamentally likes him. Imagine that! Happily, she's a pleasure sadist (yay!!), and he's a pleasure masochist (nice!!!). All of these things are tragically, infuriatingly rare in F/m romance, and getting them all in one book is just about unheard of, so I really, really appreciated it. Half a star just for that.
The whole vampire UF thing is a little well-worked for me at this point and this doesn't really bring anything new to that genre, but I give it 3½ stars for being decently written, properly edited (no typos!), and for finally (finally!) giving me an unhedged, well-adjusted dominant heroine. Damn rare.
Paranormal urban fantasy: our heroine (human) is a vampire-crime police investigator, and meets the hero (vampire) while working a murder. Pretty businesslike there. This is book #2 in a series, but I read it as a standalone with no trouble at all.
Characters were pretty good— well-drawn enough and not unlikable. Writing style is B+ quality at least, which was a welcome change of pace. Maybe not as smoking hot as I would have liked frequency-wise, but I can't really complain either. Their intimacy proceeds at a reasonable pace.
The kinking is quite mellow, but nice— for once, she fundamentally likes him. Imagine that! Happily, she's a pleasure sadist (yay!!), and he's a pleasure masochist (nice!!!). All of these things are tragically, infuriatingly rare in F/m romance, and getting them all in one book is just about unheard of, so I really, really appreciated it. Half a star just for that.
The whole vampire UF thing is a little well-worked for me at this point and this doesn't really bring anything new to that genre, but I give it 3½ stars for being decently written, properly edited (no typos!), and for finally (finally!) giving me an unhedged, well-adjusted dominant heroine. Damn rare.
April 7, 2021
I liked the femdom aspect of this, though it wasn't my favorite ever. The "suspense" plot was ridiculous and I hated world building with a passion. Special enforcers, my ass. MFC was severely underdeveloped and MMC was no more than a sketch, or maybe stick figure is a better description.
May 1, 2025
Much better than the 1st book, and i didn't mind the complete character roster swap.
A nice mortal dominatrix presentation with a vampire malesub - a quite unexpected twist from the typical vampires are always superior mindset storytelling.
A nice mortal dominatrix presentation with a vampire malesub - a quite unexpected twist from the typical vampires are always superior mindset storytelling.
April 2, 2018
I have an e-book of this publication
July 12, 2016
Kallysten is such a talented writer that I find I can enjoy reading anything that she has written, even when it is not my preferred genre. When given the opportunity to read this book, I was willing to do so (despite my misgivings) because, although there might be content which made me uncomfortable, I knew the writing would be good.
I wish I could say that I liked the content, but I still find it hard to comprehend the appeal. However, I did like the characters and I think I understood their motivations. To be more specific, I felt that I understood Ray's issues, but I'm still not entirely clear on Grace's. Still, she was likeable because her intentions seemed to be focused on giving Ray what he needed and she understood him in a manner that fulfilled him in a way no one else could. She helped him to realize that because he was willing to give her his power he was really the one in control because it was his choice.
Ultimately, I would have to say that Kallysten did a great job of conveying to me the potential psychological motivations that could drive someone to pursue a lifestyle that would cause me to run in the opposite direction. I must commend her for that because it takes a gifted writer to compel a reader to identify with and understand characters with whom there is no common ground. For that reason, I must recommend this book.
For anyone who may be concerned that the "scenes" in this book could trigger something unpleasant, I don't think anything was too graphic or extreme. There was nothing sadistic about it, and for that I am deeply grateful.
I wish I could say that I liked the content, but I still find it hard to comprehend the appeal. However, I did like the characters and I think I understood their motivations. To be more specific, I felt that I understood Ray's issues, but I'm still not entirely clear on Grace's. Still, she was likeable because her intentions seemed to be focused on giving Ray what he needed and she understood him in a manner that fulfilled him in a way no one else could. She helped him to realize that because he was willing to give her his power he was really the one in control because it was his choice.
Ultimately, I would have to say that Kallysten did a great job of conveying to me the potential psychological motivations that could drive someone to pursue a lifestyle that would cause me to run in the opposite direction. I must commend her for that because it takes a gifted writer to compel a reader to identify with and understand characters with whom there is no common ground. For that reason, I must recommend this book.
For anyone who may be concerned that the "scenes" in this book could trigger something unpleasant, I don't think anything was too graphic or extreme. There was nothing sadistic about it, and for that I am deeply grateful.
June 29, 2016
A murder mystery and a love story with a kinky edge!!
Special Enforcer Grace Alkins is investigating the draining of a lobbyist opposed to vampires’ rights. Grace became a Special Enforcer instead of a police officer because they got to use magic – not because she had anything particularly against vampires. The investigation takes her to the premier BDSM club on the east coast and its vampire customers. Grace revitalizes her old role of Mistress Red, but is provoked into dominating Ray, a submissive vampire with no limits and who may be a suspect.
Grace and Ray play as Dom/sub as Grace continues to investigate. The interplay between them is deliciously presented. Ray only subs for his Sire and now Grace, so pushes boundaries during play. His reactions when Grace praises him show he does not get that from his Sire and an incredible bond begins to form – and we have a front seat!!
Incredible human vs. vampire story, BDSM dynamics, love story and murder mystery. Strong characters and twisting storylines will keep you engaged till the final page.
*A complimentary copy was given in exchange for an honest review*
Special Enforcer Grace Alkins is investigating the draining of a lobbyist opposed to vampires’ rights. Grace became a Special Enforcer instead of a police officer because they got to use magic – not because she had anything particularly against vampires. The investigation takes her to the premier BDSM club on the east coast and its vampire customers. Grace revitalizes her old role of Mistress Red, but is provoked into dominating Ray, a submissive vampire with no limits and who may be a suspect.
Grace and Ray play as Dom/sub as Grace continues to investigate. The interplay between them is deliciously presented. Ray only subs for his Sire and now Grace, so pushes boundaries during play. His reactions when Grace praises him show he does not get that from his Sire and an incredible bond begins to form – and we have a front seat!!
Incredible human vs. vampire story, BDSM dynamics, love story and murder mystery. Strong characters and twisting storylines will keep you engaged till the final page.
*A complimentary copy was given in exchange for an honest review*
September 18, 2016
Kally has combined my two favorite things to read about vampires and BDSM. And this one has a male switch and a great female Domme. Grace was a great character that I really liked from the start. The way she took control at her job and then was able to walk into Carte Blanche and rule was just awesome. I didnt know that this was book 2 but I was able to read this book with no problems of feeling like I was missing out on something. But trust me, I will be getting book 1. Kallys books hold a spot on my Nook and Kindle. Thanks for a new series Kally!!!.
August 31, 2014
So this is my first vampire book, so very out of my "normal" here. The scenes are pretty tame, so I guess I'll have to look for a little bit more. Also this is my first read where the female lead is the dominant and not sure I loved that. Very readable but maybe not quite my thing.
October 1, 2013
Good ideas, well written.
I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews